Smooth evacuation

China's success in evacuating its nation- als from turbulent Libya culminated on Wednesday after the Foreign Ministry announced that a total of 35,860 Chinese people had been safely helped to leave the North African country. All Chinese people who desired to leave and whose whereabouts were known, have now been evacuated.

This is the largest and the most complicated overseas evacuation operation ever conducted by the government since the People's Republic of China was founded on Oct 1, 1949.

No wonder the country's quick response, efficient organization, effective coordination and strong logistic support, have earned praise both at home and overseas.